If you love hot chocolate, this Hot Chocolate Dump Cake is about to become your new favorite dessert. Rich, chocolatey, and topped with gooey marshmallows, it tastes just like a mug of cocoa in cake form. This recipe uses cake mix and pudding mix to make the easiest, most moist dump cake. It’s baked in a standard 9×13-inch dish and is ready in about 45 minutes.

A baked chocolate dessert topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips in a white dish, with a wooden spoon resting inside.
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This cake came about because I wanted a dump cake version of my popular Mississippi Mud Cake. This version uses a cake mix, pudding mix, and a packet of hot chocolate mix to give you a mug of hot chocolate in cake form. It’s so easy to throw together, and my grandkids love to help make this cake.

Testing results for

  1. We prefer the Duncan Hines dark chocolate fudge cake mix for this recipe.
  2. You can put the cake together and bake it just before serving. It is so good when it’s served warm and gooey.
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I hope you make this recipe. I think you’ll love it!

A wooden spoon lifts a serving of chocolate brownies topped with melted chocolate and mini marshmallows from a baking dish.

Ingredient notes

Here are a few things to know about the ingredients in this recipe.

➡️➡️➡️ The full ingredient amounts and instructions are listed below on the printable recipe card. Scroll below the recipe card for frequently asked questions and tips for success.

Pudding mix: You can use any brand of chocolate pudding mix, just be sure you use instant pudding. We prefer Jello brand.

Hot chocolate mix: Use a hot chocolate mix that does not already contain mini marshmallows.

Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix: Any brand is fine, but in our testing, we preferred Duncan Hines.

Whole Milk: We have not tested this recipe with anything other than whole milk, as it’s our preferred milk for cakes. I would not use low-fat milk in this recipe.

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A plate of chocolate brownies topped with whipped cream, marshmallows, and chocolate chips, surrounded by Christmas decorations.

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Hot Chocolate Dump Cake with Pudding

An easy Hot Chocolate Dump Cake loaded with chocolate, marshmallows, and cozy cocoa flavor is perfect served warm with whipped cream!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
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A dessert of chocolate cake topped with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle on a white plate with a spoon.

Equipment

9x13-inch dish
9×13-inch dish

Ingredients 

  • 1 box 3.9-ounce chocolate instant pudding mix
  • 1 envelope hot cocoa mix
  • 2 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 box 15.25-ounce Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
  • 4 cups mini marshmallows, divided
  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup milk chocolate chips
  • 2 cups whipped cream
  • 1 cup hot fudge sauce, heated
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Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Set aside.
  • To a bowl, add 1 box 3.9-ounce chocolate instant pudding mix, 1 envelope hot cocoa mix, and 2 1/2 cups whole milk.
    A mixing bowl with cake mix, eggs, and liquid ingredients surrounded by bowls of chocolate chips, sour cream, and an electric mixer on a white surface.
  • Whisk on medium speed until combined.
    A bowl of chocolate cake batter surrounded by chocolate chips, sour cream, a hand mixer with chocolate on the beaters, and baking ingredient packets on a white surface.
  • Add 1 box 15.25-ounce Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix (do not include the additional ingredients listed on the box: eggs, oil, water). Stir with a spatula until combined.
    A mixing bowl with dry chocolate cake mix, surrounded by chocolate chips, whipped topping, electric mixer beaters, and packets on a white surface.
  • Add 2 cups of the marshmallows. Fold until the marshmallows are distributed throughout.
    A bowl of chocolate batter topped with mini marshmallows, surrounded by bowls of chocolate chips, whipped topping, and chocolate spread, with a mixer and a packet nearby.
  • Transfer the batter to the greased baking dish.
    A white baking dish filled with chocolate brownie batter, surrounded by bowls of chocolate chips, chocolate sauce, and cream on a white surface.
  • Sprinkle ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and ½ cup milk chocolate chips on top. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Turn the oven off and remove the dish.
  • Add the remainder of the marshmallows on top and place back in the oven for 5 minutes.
    A rectangular baking dish filled with chocolate brownies topped with mini marshmallows, next to bowls of chocolate chips, frosting, and whipped cream.
  • Place the baking dish on a wire rack to cool until you are ready to serve.
    A baked chocolate dessert in a white rectangular dish topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips, surrounded by Christmas-themed decorations.
  • Top with whipped cream, heated chocolate fudge sauce, and more chocolate chips if you like.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 463kcal, Carbohydrates: 75g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 534mg, Potassium: 365mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 48g, Vitamin A: 156IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 151mg, Iron: 3mg
Course: Cakes, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 463
Keyword: chocolate dump cake, Hot Chocolate Dump Cake
Leave a comment and ★★★★★ rating below!
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About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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